Lake Land, Parkland To Meet In Final Four

The Lakers moved into the Final Four with a win Wednesday.        Tim Weis, Tyler Repking provided photo

It will be area player against area player as Lake Land College and Parkland College claimed victories Wednesday and will now meet each other in the Final Four of the  NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament championship.

Lake Land handed USC Salkehatchie a 61-55 loss Wednesday. The Lakers took a 17-13 opening quarter lead but USC Salkehatchie came back to tie the score at halaftime, 30-30.

Lake Land then moved ahead with a 14-9 third period and had a slight 17-16 final quarter edge.

Three local players compete for the Lakers. Teutopolis graduate Olivia Niemerg scored seven points, had two rebounds and one assist while Effingham graduate Abby Weis had seven points, four rebounds and one blocked shot. Altamont graduate JoAnna Schultz had three points and two rebounds.

Parkland College defeated Union County, 50-40. Parkland held a 14-11 opening quarter lead but Union County tied at the half, 26-26.

Parkland then had an 11-8 third period and outscored Union County 13-6 in the final quarter for the 10-point victory.

The local member for the Cobras is Brownstown/St. Elmo graduate Claire Wilhour who had one rebound in the contest.

Lake Land and Parkland now meet in the Final Four at 6 p.m. Thursday in Hickory, North Carolina. The winner advances to the championship game Saturday.